Match report: Colchester Utd 2-1 Port Vale

Colin Daniel scored his second of the season for the Valiants as they lost to Colchester United on Tuesday night.

Manager Rob Page made three changes to his starting line-up with Ryan McGivern, Anthony Grant and Chris Birchall all starting. But his changes were thrown into some disarray as Vale were rocked by an early injury for Enoch Andoh who was forced to leave the field in some discomfort.

On the quarter-hour mark, the Valiants were then grateful to Anthony Grant for a clearance off the line as the home side pressed. Ten minutes later, Carl Dickinson almost netted an own-goal but the ball went out for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Colchester took the lead through defender George Elokobi. It was sadly, no surprise that Vale should concede from another set play.

It got worse for Vale as they were forced into their second early change with Birchall going off injured and being replaced by Dodds. Shortly afterwards, Vale had a rare chance through Daniel. And on the stroke of half-time it was Daniel who put Vale level as he was left unmarked to fire home from Lloyd’s cross.

However, the home side re-took the lead on 67 minutes when Sordell curled home and the same player forced Alnwick into a fine save minutes later. The Valiants brought on Leitch-Smith for goalscorer Daniel but it was the home side who nearly stretched their lead as Harriott’s effort struck the post in the closing stages.

Vale: Alnwick, Purkiss, Streete, McGivern, Dickinson, Grant, Foley, Birchall (Dodds), Andoh (Lloyd), Daniel (Leitch-Smith), Ikpeazu

Subs: Johnson, Yates, Kelly, O’Connor